Final answer:
The changes to the political boundaries of India were caused by the British departure and partition of India, which was based on religious divisions and resulted in the creation of India and Pakistan. The contentious territory of Kashmir is a legacy of rushed colonial border delineation. India's embrace of democracy and innovation, despite adversities, contributed to its political stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes of Changes to Political Boundaries in India
The foundation for changes to political boundaries in India has its roots in various historical events. One significant event was the effect of the Government of India Act in 1935, which increased autonomy to the British provinces of India and introduced elected provincial assemblies. However, the arrangements within this act fomented religious division by voting systems categorized by faith, leading to long-term discord.
In response to the forthcoming British withdrawal, intense religious conflict erupted, primarily between Hindus and Muslims over the future shape of an independent India. The result was the partition at independence, creating India and Pakistan, which later led to the displacement of millions and significant violence. Notably, Kashmir became a major point of contention, which has continued to present times, with conflicts stemming from hastily drawn borders by colonial powers that ignored cultural and religious realities on the ground.
India's journey to independence involved political movements like the Indian National Congress, as well as significant figures such as Gandhi and Nehru. Post-independence, India's democratic tradition helped the nation maintain political stability, despite facing challenges such as the assassination of Indira Gandhi by Sikh nationalists and her son Rajiv Gandhi by ethnic Tamil separatists. The diffusion of ideas, combined with cultural and technological advances in shipbuilding and textile manufacturing, also characterized this period of history.